Final the Cats heated up a little the last 5 minutes for the win.

Despite another janky looking offensive performance, the optimist in me is thrilled with a bounce back win on the road in league play. 

Sheppard had zero in the first half I believe but finished with 14. I think he was told to start taking the layups that Arkansas was giving him instead of settle for floaters from 6-8 feet from the rim.

Onyenso gave some good minutes but also had some mistakes out there.  Thiero was rusty, but his physical play on defense was helpful.  Surprisingly, Edward's played some decent defense at times also, he did a decent job of getting around some screens.

Mitchell was 3-10 shooting, but 3-6 from 3 which helped.  Bradshaw had another lousy night overall and only played 12 minutes, not sure what's going on there.  Wagner finished with 8 points on 3-10 shooting with 3 assists, not a great game for him either.

Reeves finished with 24 including 4-8 from three, 3 turnovers and 2 steals, I'd say he was definitely the difference in the game.  Hopefully Kentucky can get healthy and their heads in the game with Florida and Tennessee at Rupp Arena next week.

As much as everyone is wringing their hands over the offense the last two games, I'm seeing it different. 

We have shot the ball at an incredible clip, floaters, mid range jumpers, driving layups banked high off of the backboard and threes have all seemed to fall at a high rate.

The last couple of games shots have clanked off of the rim, rimmed out, took a bad bounce and fell off the rim rather than drop in. 

The important thing is shots fell when they needed to. Luckily for UK Arkansas didn't have someone go unconscious like what generally happens in UK losses.

Back home see you Wednesday Gators.

2 hours ago, sportsfan41 said:

Bradshaw had another lousy night overall and only played 12 minutes, not sure what's going on there.

Saw that Cal said he might start Onyenso over him.

Very different game today. Cal sent the team a message. Play defense or sit with me. Rotation, minutes, all different. Guards went to the boards more today. Z played 2 minutes. 

Best defense I have seen out of Sheppard all year. Reeves was better on defense. 

Wow, that was difficult to watch!! Take the W and run with it!! Tennessee on deck!!

3 hours ago, nikeman49 said:

Wow, that was difficult to watch!! Take the W and run with it!! Tennessee on deck!!

They got Florida at Rupp on Wed next.

As expected, once Thiero got back, even rusty, he took Edwards’s minutes who only had 9. Not sure how that works with the promise he made behind closed doors to showcase his NBA talents? ? 

Got to admit, Arkansas looked pretty bad. You hold UK to 4 points through the first 11 minutes with really nothing to show for it. Not as if they were up 21-4 and UK made a miraculous comeback. UK did look solid on the defensive glass, which has been their kryptonite. Great move in the second half letting Reed be the PG.

Cal is notorious for rolling with 7 guys, 8 if we’re lucky. Reeves, Sheppard, Dillingham, Wagner, Thiero, Mitchell, and Onyenso I would say are the leaders in the clubhouse with this honor. And when I’m saying 7-8 guys, just strictly talking who he trusts, not a statement on who’ll get more minutes, start, etc. 

33 minutes ago, bugatti said:

Got to admit, Arkansas looked pretty bad. You hold UK to 4 points through the first 11 minutes with really nothing to show for it. Not as if they were up 21-4 and UK made a miraculous comeback. UK did look solid on the defensive glass, which has been their kryptonite. Great move in the second half letting Reed be the PG.

Cal is notorious for rolling with 7 guys, 8 if we’re lucky. Reeves, Sheppard, Dillingham, Wagner, Thiero, Mitchell, and Onyenso I would say are the leaders in the clubhouse with this honor. And when I’m saying 7-8 guys, just strictly talking who he trusts, not a statement on who’ll get more minutes, start, etc. 

Agreed. I think we have reached the part of the season now where the guys that are producing and playing defense will be the guys playing. He definitely made that statement yesterday. He may still give more guys minutes in the first half to see how they are playing, but come second half he is going to roll with the guys doing what he wants. 

19 hours ago, MJAlltheWay24 said:

Saw that Cal said he might start Onyenso over him.

At this point I would.  I thought Onyenso would be great as a rim protector and he is.  He's still got a lot to improve on offensively but he's a difference maker on defense, no question about it.